Photo: EverythingGP stock photo

By Shane Clausing

drug treatment court

Grande Prairie’s Drug Treatment Court now in operation

Nov 25, 2021 | 11:13 AM

Grande Prairie opened its first Drug Treatment Court on November 18, becoming the latest community to begin offering alternatives for non-violent drug offenders

Drug Treatment Courts have been operating in Alberta since 2005, and the system has recently been expanded to smaller communities struggling during the opioid crisis.

Sonya Haer, a Lawyer and Drug Treatment Duty Councillor for Alberta Legal Aid says these courts are critical for helping the crisis in the Swan City.

“Drug courts are an alternative to the criminal court system. They are an avenue for an individual to take a different approach to their life. They are really important for people and our society because they give a different dispute resolution,” said Haer.

“Our clients are usually highly into criminal activity. So, what happens is a person enters into the Drug Treatment Court instead of going into the regular system, and that’s one less person causing a lot of chaos in our society… It’s amazing how much impact that one person makes at a time, our courts are really focused on making a difference one person at a time.”

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Haer tells EverythingGP going through the drug court system is actually a harder experience than going to jail.

“It’s more than going to jail. Every single part of your life is being looked at and being controlled actually. Where you can live, who you can speak to, where you can go, all of these factors are looked at very carefully.”

In order to get into the system, applicants are required to sit in on court sessions so they can make an informed choice about applying to the program.

The program accepts people whose non-violent criminal acts are intertwined with addiction, and who are facing at least one year in jail. Participants plead guilty to charges and work through the program for up to two years.

Haer said it is great the provincial government is expanding drug courts to more communities, to help get those struggling with addiction the help they need to get back on their feet and living a more normal life.

“I’m so happy the Drug Treatment Court has expanded to as many communities as we can in Alberta. Making that impact in one person makes a difference in our community. They come back to being productive individuals. If we can make a difference in one person’s life, that’s worth it,” she said.

The opening of the Drug Treatment Court in Grande Prairie came just a few days before National Addictions Awareness Week in Canada.

National Addictions Awareness Week takes place from November 21-26 and focuses on a wide range of addictions and encourages people struggling to get the help they need.